It was a perfect storm Friday night as Glen Lake girls basketball (16-7) defeated No. 7 ranked Lake Leelanau St. Mary to capture an MHSAA Div.4 district championship in a 68-42 win over the favored Eagles.
The Lakers led from start to finish as Glen Lake dominated with its press defense and offensive tempo early and often en route to the lopsided win.
“We wanted it a lot more than when we played them the first time,” Glen Lake senior guard Ava Raymond said. “It’s very exciting coming into the season. Overall, there was a lot of doubt about us, especially in this game ... I’m just glad that we could get it done.”
The Lakers jumped out to a quick 11-2 start and were off to the races from there.
Glen Lake got revenge for a January 52-42 loss against St. Mary. In the last meeting, St. Mary’s pressure defense made all of the difference, but this time around St. Mary struggled with getting the ball up the court against Glen Lake’s pressure defense.
The Lakers were led by its entire team including Glen Lake senior Eleanor Valkner who scored 21 points and nine rebounds, with Pugh contributing 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals. Laker freshman Lydia Fosmore had 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Shimek and Robin Lane scored six points each.
“We’ve been working our butts off all season and after our last game we had a vengeance coming in here and we’ve been sharpening the sword all summer, just pushing for all season, just pushing each other to be better and everything,” Glen Valkner said. “We’ve been practicing how to go against the press … Knowing how to push it up the team when someone’s open and just like trusting each other to make those baskets,” Valkner said.
This is the Laker’s fifth straight district championship, and second straight in Division 4.
“I’m so proud of them for how hard they played and adjusting to a new coach, a new system, and to be conference champs and district Champs was just incredible. We knew we were going against a really tough team and the girls just came to play tonight.” Glen Lake coach Brad Fosmore said. “We kept talking as a coaching staff, we prepared for this … Every game you had to come ready to play. So every game we played, we were prepared for this.”
The Eagles who had high hopes for the season were upset by the Lakers.
St. Mary senior Leah Fleis left the game in the second half with an injury. Lake Leelanau St. Mary was led by Cathryn Mikowski with 14 points, while Delana Kirt had 11 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists. “It wasn’t our night and you give Glen Lake all the credit in the world, you know, they came to a great game plan, kind of punched us in the nose, rocked us back. We never really recovered, but they played great. We had an off night as well, you know, so the combination of those two, that’s a kiss of death,” St. Mary coach Clint Couturier said. “We had a beautiful season and the way the girls played, they could tell that they liked each other. They loved each other. The ball moved so well, we had, so many girls that could score and, but, it was always a team first. I’m so proud of them. You know, I wish they would’ve had a better night tonight, but it is what it is.”
The defending state champion Glen Lake met their final fate when they traveled to Kalkaska in a regional semifinal game against conference foe Frankfort (19-5) The Panthers played a masterful physical performance upsetting the Lakers 45-42. The Lakers jumped out to a 16-10 lead before a switch flipped and it seemed the Panthers controlled the game from then. Frankfort tied the ball game 20-20 and after five lead changes Glen Lake held a 2-point (28-26) lead at the end of the third quarter.
Frankfort and Glen Lake would continue trading blows until the final moments. The Panthers took a 41-37 lead; then Fosmore scored to cut the lead to one point (42-41).Frankfort made its free throws and costly turnovers down the stretch cost Glen Lake a chance to win or to force overtime. Frankfort was led from a possessed performance by Panther forward Evelyn VanTol with 19 points and nine rebounds. Frankfort guards Savina Anhalt had nine points and Willa Roth had eight points.
Lake Leelanau St. Mary defeated Grand Traverse Academy on Wednesday 54-22 and Glen Lake defeated Leland 43-34 in a district semifinal loss.
Leland senior Mallory Lowe led the Comets effort with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and three steals. Lorna Wiesen also chipped in seven points and eight rebounds.
